Continuing initiatives aimed at a reconciliation with the Priestly Society of St Pius X (SSPX), Pope Francis has made it possible for bishops to ensure the validity of marriages celebrated in the traditionalist communities.
A letter published by the Vatican on April 4 said the Pope will allow Catholic bishops to appoint priests to assist at SSPX marriages and formally receive the consent of the couples. The nuptial Mass then would be celebrated by the SSPX priest.
In addition, Pope Francis gave bishops the option of granting an SSPX priest the necessary faculties to officiate validly over the marriage rite “if there are no priests in the diocese” available to do so.
The provisions are meant to ensure the validity of the sacrament and “allay any concerns on the part of the faithful,” said the letter published by the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei,” which is responsible for the Vatican’s ongoing talks with the Society of St Pius X.
The commission is led by German Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who signed the letter on March 27.
Full story at The Catholic Herald.
This is wonderful! I’ve awaited this step for so long– although I know that the Pope’s pathway must be within the boundaries of what is possible, in regards to Canon Law. Too bad that the Pope also is not very supportive of devout, traditional Catholics, who desire to marry and establish faithful Catholic homes, to raise their families in (he loves all the wrong-doers!)! The SSPX gives families marvelous help, in this regard, and excellent Catholic schools, for their children, many with traditional nuns in habits, and solid, traditional religious and moral training, only! I so admire this! This is what our entire Church needs!
Oh Linda!!..you are 1000% correct in every word you said…I so agree with you in all areas….could not of said it better…if you ask me…they are the only ones who have truly remained faithful to our Holy Mother Church…what I would give to have them in Alaska!! They are exactly what our church needs!!
I have no truck with schism, but the more I read about this conflict the more it occurs to me that Rome tolerates far more heretical and divisive factions than the SSPX. It (generally) won’t excommunicate apostate laymen or radical nuns, but the SSPX get the hard line. Swatting gnats when the camels are stomping all over you looks mighty curious.
Linda Marie: how do you know Pope Francis is not supportive of devout, traditional Catholics? Have you spoken with the Holy Father about this? By the numerous CCD postings, Pope Francis has done more to bring the heretical SSPXers back into communion with the Church… more than St Pope JPII, and Pope Benedict XVI.
“Pope Francis has done more to bring the heretical SSPXers back into communion with the Church… more than St Pope JPII, and Pope Benedict XVI.” = Notice, even during Lent, George’s gleefully selective ability to throw out the word “heretical” while conveniently remaining silent on the many dioceses in the U.S. that are drowning in error and disobedience. (No wonder the SSPX are being recognized : > ) for their faithfulness!) I also don’t recall any articles written by Pope John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI where they personally wrote or spoke about informing “George” of their private thoughts and actions. Perhaps George can speak with Pope Francis about this!
The Pope and the Altar Boy
https://www.youtube…
The Pope and the Altar Boy
“heretical SSPXers”? George, what heresy or heresies is the SSPX guilty of?
George: I agree with your comments. For a “liberal Pope”, Pope Francis certainly has done a lot to shore up the conservative factions in the Church. This latest action being one of many.
The Pope often publicly embraces those who are not very good, practicing Catholics– those in immoral “living together” unions, those who don’t bother to get Church annulments, and have multiple (adulterous?) marriages, those in gay “marriages” with kids, and so forth. He seems to publicly denounce good, old-fashioned, truly devout, practicing Catholics– instead of upholding them as good Role Models, worldwide, and supporting them, he puts them down, and upholds the UNFAITHFUL (and HERETICAL!!) wrong-doers!! He also denounces pro-lifers!! This is terribly destructive, and so wrong!!
You must have gotten some bad information. Remember the Pope has a lot of enemies. All Popes do. His #1 enemy is also your #1 enemy. Bearing false witness against the Pope is a terrible sin. Obeying the traditional precepts of the Church will save you. You should not gossip or say bad things about anyone. Yes, they are sins and they can be mortal sins depending on the harm you do.
Anonymous, your post makes no sense! The pope is known worldwide, for his “Amoris Laetitia” and affirming of many wrong-doers, in Marriage, along with the German prelates! A very serious problem, Anonymous!
Since the Pope thinks that half of all Catholic marriages are invalid anyway, I guess it doesn’t matter to him if someone from the SSPX is officiating.